Destinations.

Krk - Welcome to the Golden Island.
THE ISLAND OF KRK.

Among the 1244 Croatian islands, only one of them is the golden one, the Insula Aurea – the island of Krk. Located in the centre of the Kvarner bay, it is considered one of the most attractive tourist destinations. Its mild Mediterranean climate, good geographical position and variety of natural and cultural beauties gave it, even in ancient times, the name "golden island". Its cultural heritage has given it another name – the cradle of Croatian culture, whilst at the beginning of the 20th century it gained the name the “sixth continent”.

The 45th parallel passes through the island, whilst its longest part is 38 km and its widest 20 km long. Its coast is around 190 km long. The closest mainland is only about a hundred metres away and its neighbouring islands are the islands of Cres, Goli and Rab; a few smaller islands also pertain to it (the largest being Plavnik, which has 17 km of coast, and the smaller Školjić with just 400 m of coast); it has an unusual and varied relief, climbing from the north-western part to the south-eastern part – from picturesque gentle coves and lagoons, along fertile fields and dense forests with sub-mediterranean vegetation, to the parts of bare limestone and real mountain landscape. On the island of Krk there are three streams and two lakes.

On the highest mountain top, Obzovi (570 m), visitors may forget that they are actually on an island. Here some very specific phenomena can be found – such as the flora in Krk which includes around 1400 species of land plants, which are almost half of the total in Croatia. Its unique plant the “Barbašovalazarkinja” is one of the world's rarities and it only grows in the Baška lagoon.

Amongst its fauna, we can count rare species too, bird species, for example, vary from eagles/vultures to the oriental steppe "vrškitić". To all this complex contrast of natural characteristics we should add a Mediterranean climate – hot summers and mild winters, a cold continental wind that blows from the north-east-the bura and the humid jugo, and a pleasant summer wind, the maestral that blows from the west.

Literally all roads lead to the island of Krk: from the land – over theKrkbridge; from the sea – by boats into the ports or small marinas, and by ferry to the Valbiskaharbour, from the air – by plane to Rijeka's airport which is located close to Omišalj. The island of Krk is just 30 kilometres away from the city of Rijeka – which is the traffic, business, commercial, university and cultural centre of Kvarner. No matter which road you choose, on your arrival to the island of Krk, you will certainly find that the golden island has been honoured with the uniqueness of variety – and is a connection between present and past, modernity and the antiquated, legend and reality. 5

Since ancient times it is believed that the destiny of the island of Krk is connected to the number seven: it was inhabited by the Croatian people in the 7th century, it has survived attacks by pirates seven times, the seventh nobleman from the Frankopan family was the last Prince of Krk. Today the island of Krk has seven centres.

Discover our island – uncover its charms and treasures in every season: cruise through its beautiful and varied landscapes, visit its thousand year-old monuments, museums and galleries. Breathe in the feeling of wellbeing whilst walking along the romantic pathways by the sea or along the wild shepherd's rock paths. Enjoy the magical tastes of Krk cuisine and delightful home-made wine, “Vrbnickazlahtina”. Take advantage of your stay by enjoying the delights the entire island is offers in the solidity of its rich and varied accommodation, and tourist and catering offer.

City of Krk, already the old Romans used to visit the "Splendissima Civitas Curictarum" – the splendid town of Krk.Krk appears elegant and harmonious when you approach it from the sea. Its historical nucleus is the widest on the southern part and extends by the sea. Becoming more and more narrow, the town is settling up to the north, creating the town nest inside the walls. All the roofs are standing in the perfect balance, except four bell towers which are projecting straight to the sky. Among them, there is the dominant cathedral bell tower which is also guard and messenger, a sonorous lantern. Underneath, between the indecision and passing by, the generations are observing each other.

Our advice is to go away from the crowd of harbour and the main square. It is better to look for quiet small streets and squares, because those are the places where all the essence is contained. We are talking about those most hidden special angles where the time is settling dust on the doors and the cobweb is protecting them from the opening. You should escape from the crowd to meet Krk in details which distinguish it from every other town emerged from the past and plunged into the see.

There is one more advice for your particular experience of Krk: regardless of you like to sleep, or you are used to wake up early, reward yourself with an early morning scene. With an intact and pale calm see, the fishermen’s ships companied with numerous sea gulls are arriving in the harbour… You should hurry through the town to the harbour: Krk is waiting for you!

If you take our advices to get to know the town of Krk, we belive that Krk will attract you. If you like to get it on your palm, you should come also in spring, autumn and winter. You should appertain to Krk to discover that it is made to the measure of men. Enjoy in this splendor, in the relaxed life rhythm, in the narrow streets always leading to some cultural monument, in the unspoilt natural environment.

Rab - Felix Arba.
THE ISLAND OF RAB

Right in front of the unique combination of the mountainous Velebit and the sea lays the island of Rab like a reduced segment of a mountain, craggy and frowning. It is not easy to sail around its indented coast, but each new scene of some of the bays is worth the navigation effort.

Sailing into the town of Rab represents a culmination, with a view of the Rab medieval bell-towers and its closely-built houses. This sight seems to concentrate all the consistency and stratification of history, especially on Sunday mornings when the church bells ring and, in fine weather, their ringing is heard miles away.

The peninsula on which the island or Rab is situated stretches on the sea like a stone vessel, with polished pavements cherishing the memories of past centuries in the hot summer air. However, Rab attractions are not only its cultural historical monuments, but nature has been very generous also; both with the unique forest of holly oaks and the dense evergreen underbrush on Kalifront and with the water sources, otherwise extremely rare in this area, of which there are more than two hundred on the island alone, and about thirty on the Lopar peninsula.

The peninsula, famous also for the long sandy beach, was the birth place of the stone-mason Marin, who would later establish the Republic of San Marino. At least this is how the legend goes! The locality is surrounded by numerous beaches, and with 22 sandy beaches it offers the best any guest may desire for bathing, sun-bathing or resting. Of all these beaches the best known by far is the magnificent natural beach Crnika – Rajska(Paradise) beach, over 1500 m long, where the hotel settlement and the motor camp "San Marino" are located. Lopar is also famous for a natural phenomenon – the submarine cave "Medovabuža", else the home of the Mediterranean monk seal, where weddings are organized for those who like sensations.

Old town Rab, a typical medieval town encircled by walls, a former Roman settlement that was awarded the status of town by Emperor Octavianus Augustus who proclaimed it a municipality 10 years B.C. Every building here recalls decades of generations, and the Renaissance and Gothic portals are surmounted with coats of arms of noble Rab families, whose descendants are your hosts today. On St. Christopher's square refresh yourself at the fountain with two sculptures, of Kalifront and the shepherdess Draga, figures from a legend about lost love.

Enjoy in the numerous music and stage performances, gallery and street exhibitions. Do not miss a visit to the park Komrčar overlooking a long promenade and the bathing resort. You can spend your holidays in the shade of centennial pines, fragrance of resin and sea blueness, without renouncing all the facilities that a town can offer.

There are many sports-recreational facilities in store for you: diving, water skiing, surfing, rent a boat, jet ski, pedalos, aqua-gun, parachute, tennis, beach volley, indoor football, basketball, hand-ball, cycling, mini golf, bowling, walks... During one of the many unforgettable boat excursions observe the sea bed, the island world "Apsyrt", go fishing or to a fish-picnic, try out canoeing and rafting, visit Košljun, the national parks Paklenica, Kornati and the Plitvice Lakes...